A Look at Acid Reflux and Your Diet
by Dave Lavinsky
zone3
There is an undeniable connection between the occurrence of acid
reflux and diet. Everything in your body has a delicate balance. The human
body is a miracle of systems that maintains just the right conditions to
keep everything running smoothly. Therefore it’s the healthiest when there
is an acidic balance or equilibrium.
The stomach regulates acidic digestion with enzymes that convert acids
into manageable alkaline or basal substances. However, when there is an
over-production of acid, usually helped along by lifestyle choices like
overeating or smoking, acid reflux is likely to occur, and if it goes
unregulated, acid reflux disease can develop.
Fortunately, acid reflux and diet can be effectively improved by
launching a few lifestyle changes. One of the most important things you
can do to cool heartburn down is to avoid certain foods. In many cases,
just changing the diet is all that is necessary to control acid reflux.
Most health care professionals recommend a low-acid diet consisting of
more alkaline or basal foods. Foods such as chocolate, foods with a lot of
extra cheese, tomato sauce or catsup based foods, onions, chilies,
caffeinated beverages, fatty or fried foods, alcohol, mint, and citrus
fruits have been known to aggravate digestion, acting as catalysts for
acid reflux.
So what foods are safe to eat? The key qualities in heartburn-friendly
foods, for most people, are low fat and non-spicy. So, with that in mind
you can probably guess that leafy greens and broccoli, lean cuts of
grilled meat, egg whites, low-fat cheeses like feta, apples and bananas,
multi-grain breads, and low-fat salad dressings are good choices. Junk
food? Occasionally, but with caution, choose fat free cookies, baked
potato chips, or red licorice. A good exercise to do if you suffer
from heartburn regularly is to create a food diary and log your meal
intake for 2 or 3 weeks. Then note each time you experience heartburn in
order to target the foods you need to avoid.
In addition to making better food choices, consider changing your
portion perception. Overeating is another acid reflux aggravator. Exercise
caloric conscientiousness and choose to skip that second helping or fatty
side dish, eat slow and drink plenty of water. Living without heartburn is
within anyone’s grasp, and shouldn’t require drastic medical treatment.
Simple, reasonable modifications in your eating habits can do wonders for
quelling acid reflux, not to mention improving overall health.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Acid Reflux provides comprehensive information on the cause,
symptoms, treatment, and diet associated with normal and infant acid
reflux. For more information go to Acid Reflux and/or visit its
sister site at Pain
Relief for related information.
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